MHC 1s vs Swansea 2s

Match report by Hamish Fyfe

Marlborough turned out in good spirits to the College, looking to take revenge against Swansea 2s after a promising performance against Swansea 1s the previous week. The team’s mood was energised in the changing room with some encouraging words from the skipper, “let’s go balls out on each other out there”. Obviously, this inspired the team into a very positive warm-up despite the miserable conditions. The opposition, who had a full compliment of 16 once again, were not short of energy or youth either.

The game started in cold, wet conditions, and Marlborough initially looked good, creating some early chances. Swansea then settled into the game and put sustained pressure on the home side for a good 20 minutes, which resulted in two rather 'messy' goals for the away side. Marlborough responded well and created good shooting chances, all of which were saved.

Some inspiring and instructive words from Craig at the break made a lot of difference at the start of the second half. Marlborough pressed the opposition aggressively and built-up play more confidently from the back. This renewed effort was somewhat hindered by the disappearance of all the home side’s substitutes and key players in Ramage and Osborne early in the second half. However, Marlborough pressed on in search for a goal and found one when Freddie Hazlitt fired home a good effort from a short corner. At 2-1, the game was well-balanced and in-between some fine saves from Aaron, a squaerial or two from Milts, and some great passes to Swansea’s forward line (Jonesy), Marlborough continued to manufacture shooting chances, but failed to find the net. A somewhat harsh green card for Fyfe late into the second half and some below-par umpiring didn’t help proceedings, but Marlborough continued valiantly to the close and were very unlucky not to get something from the game.

Overall, a great response to last week’s result and, had we converted our chances, the day could have very well ended in our first victory of the season. Onto our next opponent from Wales. Third time’s a charm!

MoM – Freddie Hazlitt
DoD – Hamish Fyfe